2011 NFL Draft: Team Big Boards

Last update: Thursday, April 21, 2011.

This is my attempt to construct a realistic 2011 NFL Draft big board for every team. I've factored in where these teams are drafting; for instance, I'm sure Patrick Peterson is No. 1 on many teams' lists, but I didn't include him from Tennessee onward because he definitely won't be available past No. 7. I also took team needs into account.

These are the only three options at No. 2. I'm 99-percent confident the Broncos will draft Marcell Dareus.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: John Elway admitted Wednesday that he wouldn't know what to do with Von Miller on first and second downs in his 4-3 defense. Miller never made sense for the Broncos. He just doesn't fit the scheme.

Cam Newton will be the pick if he's available. If not, it doesn't appear as though Buddy Nix would consider Blaine Gabbert over Von Miller, Marcell Dareus and Patrick Peterson. With Newton presumably off the board, Miller is the favorite to go No. 3.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: Adam Schefter was told that Newton is not making it past the Bills. If it's not Newton, it'll be Miller.

I think all of Arizona's supposed Blaine Gabbert interest is a smokescreen to get another team to trade up to Nos. 3 or 4, perhaps allowing Von Miller to fall to No. 5. If Miller's off the board, this pick will probably be used on Patrick Peterson. Gabbert just doesn't make much sense here.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: I'm standing by my belief that the Cardinals aren't going to pick Gabbert. Larry Fitzgerald even said that he "doubts" that Gabbert will be the pick. Why would Arizona's front office want to offend its best player? Losing Fitzgerald would be devastating.

I discussed this in my 2011 NFL Mock Draft. Nick Fairley is low on this list because Tom Heckert likes multi-year starters. Fairley has just about a season of starting experience.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: It's really close between Robert Quinn and Julio Jones. It appears as though the Browns want to go receiver here. There's no wrong choice, but Jones is less risky; Quinn took a year off football and has a tumor in his brain.

The 49ers are praying that Patrick Peterson drops to them. If he's not available, Robert Quinn would bolster the pass rush, but Jim Harbaugh may want to grab a franchise quarterback instead.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: This is the toughest pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, in my opinion. It's unclear how much John Harbaugh likes Gabbert, though he did attempt to recruit him at one time. Quinn is the best player available, but it'll be difficult for Harbaugh to pass on a quarterback he likes.

The Titans have a big need at defensive tackle, and Nick Fairley's former defensive line coach at Auburn now works for Tennessee. He's the favorite, but the Titans will definitely consider reaching for a quarterback.

I have to believe this is the furthest Blaine Gabbert will fall (famous last words heard by Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen). But Washington can't roll with Rex Grossman, right? If Gabbert's off the board, Julio Jones will be the favorite, but don't discount a rush linebacker. As for Jake Locker, there have been reports linking the Washington quarterback to Mike Shanahan. However, Shanahan is usually tight-lipped - he never even worked out Jay Cutler when he drafted him - so I don't think Locker will be the pick at No. 10.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: It doesn't look like Jones will make it to No. 10. Robert Quinn is the easy choice if Gabbert isn't available.

As I've been noting in my 2011 NFL Mock Draft, I know for a fact that the Texans have "some concerns" on using back-to-back first-round selection on cornerbacks. A rush linebacker or five-technique is the more likely pick.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: I still believe that the Texans will pick a pass-rusher over Amukamara. I'll try to find out more about this in the next few days.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: If the Vikings don't trade down and opt to select the best player available, it'll be a tough call between Jake Locker, Prince Amukamara and Cameron Jordan. Amukamara's the better player, but Jordan fills the bigger need and more important position. Plus, his father played for Minnesota. Ultimately though, the huge need for a quarterback may prevail.

Prince Amukamara is Detroit's dream draft pick. There's a chance either he or Tyron Smith drops to No. 13, but this pick will probably have to be used on a defensive end.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: The Lions may trade up for Amukamara or hope he falls to No. 13. If he doesn't, Cameron Jordan would be a fine choice. He and Ndamukong Suh would wreak havoc upon opposing quarterbacks.

Like the Lions, St. Louis has a dream prospect (Julio Jones) that doesn't have a good chance of dropping to its spot in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Rams will probably settle for a defensive lineman if they don't trade out of No. 14.

APRIL 21 UPDATE: The Rams may trade down if the 2011 NFL Draft unfolds like this. They can get Corey Liuget in the late teens or early 20s because of the low demand for 4-3-only personnel.